An abandoned dog has saved the lives of ten sick, newborn puppies and their weak mother after incessantly barking to alert passersby and then leading them to the dogs' location in dense woods.

The Labrador mix, who has since been named Hero, had spent weeks eluding members of Dallas Dogrrr-Rescue, Rehab, Reform in Texas, who were trying to rescue him from a south Dallas park.

But on Tuesday night, he greeted rescuer Marina Tarashevsce and dog behaviorist John Miller with persistent barking. Every time the pair moved closer to him, Hero inched backward and barked.

Deciding that the dog was trying to alert them to something, Ms Tarahevsce and Mr Miller followed him into nearby woodland. A short while later, they came across a burnt-out tree, situated by a creek.

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'Hero': This abandoned dog (left) saved the lives of ten sick, newborn puppies and their weak mother after incessantly barking to alert passersby and leading them to the dogs' location under a burnt-out tree (right)

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Under the tree in Dallas, Texas, rescuer Marina Tarashevsce and dog behaviorist John Miller discovered the litter of ten, shivering puppies and their exhausted mother (pictured), who has since been named Mona

Recovering: Five days on, the 11 rescued dogs (pictured being cared for by Dogrrr-Rescue, Rehab, Reform) are in a warm and loving foster home, They have been joined by Hero himself, who remains by their side

Incredibly, under the tree, the rescuers discovered a litter of ten, shivering puppies - one of which had nearly frozen to death in the cold - and their exhausted mother, who has since been named Mona.

Five days on, the 11 rescued animals have been transferred to a warm and caring foster home, Fox News reported. They have been joined by Hero himself, who remains constantly by their side.

According to Dogrrr-Rescue, Hero may be the puppies'' father, although this is not confirmed. But regardless, he will undoubtedly be 'the most loving and nurturing dog dad', the group remarked.
Speaking to 'Fox and Friends Weekend' on Sunday, Ms Tarashevsce said she and Mr Miller were greeted by a 'loud barking' when they walked across the park to retrieve black-furred Hero.

'When I got there in the evening, Hero was barking really loudly,' she told the program. 'And it wasn't just a regular bark. He just wouldn't stop and it sounded like he was in distress of some sort.'

Ms Tarashevsce said that she had often seen Hero with Mona, whom she suspected to be pregnant, in recent weeks, so she assumed that something must be wrong with the expectant mother.

Rescuer: Speaking to 'Fox and Friends Weekend' on Sunday, Ms Tarashevsce (pictured with Hero) said she and Mr Miller were greeted by a 'loud barking' when they walked across the park to retrieve black-furred Hero

Saving animals' lives: 'When I got there in the evening, Hero was barking really loudly,' Ms Tarashevse (pictured, right, with Hero before their TV appearance) told the program. Left, Mr Miller with another dog

Ms Tarashevsce said that she had often seen Hero with Mona, whom she suspected to be pregnant, in recent weeks, so she assumed that something must be wrong with the expectant mother. 'I had suspected that she was pregnant, so that's why I followed him... He led us to a creek by the woods,' she said. Above, the woods

'I had suspected that she was pregnant, so that's why I followed him... He led us to a creek by the woods. And we heard little yelping of the puppies, so this is how we found them.'

The rescue worker, who is also an animal rights activist, added: 'I still can't believe it, that he actually led me to the puppies. But I'm so thankful because we wouldn't have found them otherwise.'

Mr Miller, who is an expert in dogs' behavior, had apparently known straight away the pair needed to follow Hero. He determined that the Lab's barking and movements meant he wanted them to come.

'He led us there,” he told CBS. 'He took us to the puppies. That is exactly what he was trying to do. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve heard about stuff like this but it was awesome to witness it.'

This week, Dogrrr-Rescue has posted many photos of Hero, Mona and the 10 puppies on Facebook. In one image, Hero is pictured standing behind a vet named Dr Hamlin as he examines Mona's leg.

Thankful: The rescue worker, also an animal rights activist, added: 'I still can't believe it, that he actually led me to the puppies. But I'm so thankful because we wouldn't have found them otherwise.' Above, the pups

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Protective: This week, Dogrrr-Rescue has posted numerous photos of Hero, Mona and the 10 puppies on Facebook. In one image, Hero is pictured standing behind a vet named Dr Hamlin as he examines Mona's leg (left). Another image shows the Labrador mix sitting up, on guard, as Mona and her puppies rest (right)

The adorable photo is captioned: 'Hero is making sure Dr. Hamlin is gentle with Mona. This boy is the best dad and Mona and her babies are very lucky to have such a very loving protector.'

Another image shows Hero sitting up, on guard, as Mona and her puppies rest. It is accompanied by the words: 'Hero, Mona and the babies are all safe and together in a loving foster home.'

Dogrrr-Rescue will search for homes for the puppies once they are weaned from their mother.

The group is raising money to help cover the expense of caring for Hero, Mona and the pups. It also fundraising for other abandoned animals' food, warm shelter, vet bills and foster needs.

It has set up a GoFund page. Donors can also call the Mercy Animal Clinic at 972-530-82

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New mother: Dogrrr-Rescue will search for homes for the puppies once they are weaned from their mother